Nov/Dec 2013 **Print**

Features

Letter from the EditorGlass: A Life Changing Mediumby Shawn WaggonerGlass Art editor Shawn Waggoner shares with readers that the world lost another glass art pioneer when Ruth Brockmann, who rediscovered the ancient techniques of fused glass, passed away in July 2013. Waggoner also reminds us of the mission of Glass Art magazine—to support artists in their endeavors to capture a moment in time with glass.

Hot Glass Studio ProfileJason GamrathMagnifying the Beauty of the Orchid and Other Exotic Plantsby Shawn WaggonerPhotography by Daniel FoxJason Gamrath captures the beauty of nature in immense glass and steel sculptures of small exotic plants including many species of orchids. Since it’s not possible to fashion these huge, hot-sculpted flowers in one piece, Gamrath has used his extensive experience in working glass to create innovative techniques for dealing with large pieces.

MarketingCreating a Buzz about Your Business without Breaking the Budgetby Mark VeitMarketing budgets tend to take a back seat to most other monetary considerations when it comes to small art businesses, since marketing campaigns require a lot of time and money. Owners can save both, however, by promoting their businesses through written venues such as magazines and Internet blogs, and by hosting glass art parties where they can develop personal connections with attendees.

Winners ShowcaseThe 2013 Glass Craft & Bead Expoby Shawn WaggonerThe 19th Annual 2013 Glass Craft & Bead Expo was the gathering place for instructors, classes, techniques, and exhibitors who shared the wonders of glass art with over 7,850 attendees. An exciting part of the event was the Gathering of Excellence, the annual juried show that featured every major form of glasswork from professional and amateurs alike, plus a glass cutting contest, a flame off, and charity auction.

Educational GlassGlass in the ClassRaising Money and Art Educationby Steve ShupperPhotography by Paul M. BowersThe Old Town Academy (OTA), a new charter school in San Diego, California, has found an exciting and educational way to help raise the money needed to supplement the operational expenses of the school. Various glass artists, including Cathy Coverly of the Art Glass Association of Southern California, worked with the students to help them create stained glass projects that were auctioned off as part of the school’s annual fundraising event and raised a significant amount of money for the school.

Warm Glass Studio ProfileThe Space In BetweenMichael Endo’s Kiln Formed Glassby Shawn WaggonerPhotography by Michael Endo and S. SayerMichael Endo, trained as a painter, took classes at the Bullseye Research and Education department in order to learn more about glass and began to see its potential as a painting medium. He began to use frit and glass enamel paints to create work, with the primary aesthetic goal of revealing and examining the experiences that people tend to gloss over. Endo’s work demonstrates that fused glass art can be so much more than just fusing plates.

Art GlassStudio ProfilePaned Expressions Studiosby Colleen BryanJanet Parker and Martha Hanson are artists and owners of Paned Expressions Studios, with their trademark style of realism. They love to work in fine detail with attention to light, shadow, depth, and dimension. They also provide a resource for many other artists with their custom pattern service, which they market through glass magazines and a robust Web presence.

Retailer ProfileStallings Stained Glassby Colleen BryanGreg Stallings offers retail, custom work, repairs, and classes in his 1,400-square-foot retail glass art store and recently began offering classes to individuals. Part of the success of Stallings Stained Glass is the store’s propensity for repackaging items that come in larger sizes than most hobbyists might use. Going out of the way to provide customers with what they need and the addition of a Web presence have also helped the store to expand its customer base.

Philanthropic GlassFrom the Streets to Stained GlassJean Beaulieu Puts Troubled Youth to Workby Shawn WaggonerCanadian stained glass artist, Jean Beaulieu, began teaching teenagers who were living on the streets in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, how to help him foil glass for his work. This effort eventually gave birth to the MargiArt project and Les Ateliers ART-GO, and Beaulieu was awarded a commission by the city to help the youth create seventeen windows for the cruise ship terminal. Beaulieu continues the projects by designing and marketing pattern books to supplement his programs for street kids.

SAMA NewsSave the Date for the 2014 American Mosaic Summitby Gwyn KaitisThe members of the Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) look forward each year to the American Mosaic Summit, which offers plenty of new ideas through incredible presentations by nationally and internationally renowned mosaic artists. The 2014 summit will be held April 30–May 4 in Houston, Texas, with the annual Mosaic Arts International gallery showing from April 24–May 30 to coincide with the conference.

Architectural GlassTo Lead or Not Re-LeadSerpentino Stained Glass Studio Restores La Farge Windows at Salve Reginaby Shawn WaggonerPhotography by Roberto RosaHusband and wife team, Roberto Rosa and Maria Serpentino, recently completed a restoration of the La Farge windows for Salve Regina University in New Port, Rhode Island. The conservation of paint and structural augmentation were required, but the studio was able to retain over 80 percent of the original lead from 1890, proving that not all windows must be re-leaded after the magic 100 years have passed.

SGAA NewsThe Stained Glass Association of AmericaCelebrating 110 Yearsby Sue SheaSue Shea, SGAA president, reminds stained glass artists of the benefits of becoming an SGAA member. The organization offers many perks, including access to SGAA and Stained Glass School (SGA) publications, online resources, networking opportunities, continuing education, and research. The group also lobbies before congress to support the rights of its members and has a Government Watch program to alert members of any government actions that might affect glass art businesses.

Readers’ ForumReaders share their thoughts on profiles and articles featured in recent issues of Glass Art.

What’s NewFeaturing the latest in books and products for the glass enthusiastby Darlene WelchWhat’s New offers Information on the latest in books and patterns plus new glass and tools for hot, warm, and cold glass artists and hobbyists. This is the perfect place to keep up with the innovations that will make working in glass easier and more enjoyable.

Skills and TechniquesTraditional Glass Painting Made EasyTraditional Glass Stainer Colorsby Peter McGrainGlass painting artist Peter McGrain shares important information on the proper selection and use of traditional glass stainer colors. Included is a description of paint characteristics, how to achieve the correct paint/vehicle/binder mix, and techniques for preparing the paint. Important safety measures are also included that must be followed when working with stainer colors, since they contain fine glass particles.

AGG NewsA Lesson from the Pastby Tony GlanderPhotography by Hunts Stained Glass StudiosNick Parrendo, a Lifetime Achievement Award member of the American Glass Guild (AGG), was greatly impressed by the way that George William Sotter, a famous, well-accomplished glass painter, conducted his business. Parrendo remembers how Sotter shared his techniques and enlisted the help of other studios that were not selected for the commission. AGG members have recognized Parrendo for practicing and passing on these practices in his own business.